Tadman wrote:The Lakewood line was open for business up to Diversey until the candy factory closed in 2006. I lived a few blocks away 2011-2015 and the tracks are still in the road, but there's mega mansions where the candy factory was. I also lived further south near Finkl 2004-2006 and 2009-2011 and would occasionally catch CP or MILW bandits switching. There was also a last trip up the railroad with PV Caritas. Here are some good pics:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/36106399@ ... 188/?map=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.flickr.com/photos/36106399@ ... 410109252/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://railpictures.net/showphotos.php? ... C%7C%7C%7C" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Ryanch, I didn't know you were a north sider. I love the area and move a bit further north every few years. I figure I'll retire when I get to Waukegan... I'm still mad at myself for never making it to Muskies burger joint, I figured they'd have a really good chili burger. I left that neighborhood 3/1 this year. Now I'm in Lincoln Square and I enjoy exploring the ex-CNW branches into the industrial park adjacent to Rosehill Cemetery.
I particularly like the shot where the Caritas is waiting for the tow truck to clear the track. I had to meet somebody at the Lakeshore Athletic Club once on train day, and sure enough, there was one car parked across the tracks. Of course I think the parking restriction was all day, though the train only came through twice, so maybe that particular car was out of the way when it mattered.
They should've put cowcatchers on the front of their locomotives and just pushed cars out of the way.
I was an off-and-on north sider - till I was 7 back in the 70s, then again in recent decades. We lived a block from the Ravenswood station till a year and a half ago, when my second daughter sized us out of our condo. Now we're near Evanston Central, so I ride through and ogle the station I would've been using.
By the area adjacent to Rosehill, you mean that area to the west of the tracks, south of the cemetery (and east of the other wing of the cemetery?) Where the Montessori school is? Or is there another area covered? Do those tracks still get used, aside from as a siding for the track crews? I'd ride my bike that way sometimes, but never really saw back in there much.